Chester racecourse launches 2012 Olympic bid

Jun 25 2009 by David Holmes, Chester Chronicle

ORGANISERS of a show jumping event at Chester Racecourse want The Roodee to play host to a 2012 Olympic equestrian team.

Families are encouraged to go along to next month’s National Friendly British Masters with admission free for children and adults paying just £5 each.

Richard Thomas, chief executive of Chester Race Company, hopes the success of the British Masters will lend strength to the argument the city should become a training camp for an Olympic equestrian team.

He said: “This event has been endorsed by the riders as having the finest facilities for competitors and if we can now show that Chester and people of the North West want to see showjumping then I am confident we can make a strong case to the equestrian board.

“That is what my board and I are working towards and we are grateful for the support of both the North West Development Agency and Cheshire West and Chester Council in helping to stage this important city event.”

Sky TV is filming the British Masters from July 3-5, with entrants including UK number one Nick Skelton, 2008 Olympians Michael and John Whitaker, last year’s winner Ben Maher and Tim Stockdale.

The 2008 event proved controversial after female competitors posed for a saucy photo shoot arranged by the British Show Jumping Association.

And among the high profile riders returning to Chester are Ellen Whitaker, who posed for The Roodee’s own toned-down version.

Marketing manager Rob March said this year’s event was aimed at families.

He said: “At £5 per adult, with children free, we believe this makes for a great family day out. We have trade and food stands, children’s rides and even ticket deals for people riding bikes to the event as part of Chester – the Cycle Demonstration Town.”

For tickets, call 01244 304610 or visit www.chester-races.com.